Vehicle Temperature Controller for Diesel Fuel Anti-Gel Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In diesel vehicles like Class 8 trucks, the fuel can 'gel' at low temperatures, requiring the engine to be run intermittently to maintain fuel temperature, which wastes fuel and increases pollution.
Innovation Solution
A temperature monitoring controller that can operate independently of the ignition bus, allowing it to monitor oil temperature and determine when to automatically start the engine to maintain fuel temperature without constant engine idling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the engine is run intermittently to maintain fuel temperature above gelling threshold, then fuel temperature is maintained, but fuel consumption increases and pollution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the vehicle's existing sensor network and control module to autonomously monitor fuel temperature and manage engine operation, eliminating the need for external intervention or manual temperature management while optimizing fuel consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts engine operation parameters based on real-time fuel temperature monitoring, transitioning between running and shut-off states based on temperature thresholds to maintain fuel above gelling point while minimizing fuel consumption
2Temperature
If the engine is run intermittently to maintain fuel temperature, then fuel temperature is maintained, but pollution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control module autonomously manages engine operation based on temperature monitoring, automatically shutting down the engine when fuel temperature is sufficient and only restarting when necessary to prevent gelling, thereby minimizing pollution-generating engine runs
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes engine operational parameters dynamically based on fuel temperature, reducing engine run-time and intensity to minimize harmful emissions while maintaining fuel temperature above the gelling threshold
3Loss of energy
If a temperature monitoring controller operates independently of the ignition bus, then it can monitor temperature continuously without constant engine idling, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control module performs multiple functions: it monitors fuel temperature, determines engine start/stop timing, and manages the ignition bus, consolidating control functions into an existing component rather than adding a separate dedicated controller
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing control module as an intermediary between the temperature sensors and the engine control system, leveraging existing communication protocols and control pathways to minimize additional system complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
In some embodiments, a vehicle includes a temperature monitoring controller. The temperature monitoring controller is a processor, control module, or other suitable hardware that is configured to receive temperature sensor values from an engine control module (ECM) when an ignition bus is in a powered on state, and to decide when the engine should be automatically started in order to maintain a temperature above a low temperature threshold. The temperature monitoring controller periodically causes an ignition bus of the vehicle to be placed in the powered on state when the engine is shut down in order to collect temperature sensor values. The temperature monitoring controller determines whether to automatically start the engine, and if not, determines how long to wait before collecting temperature sensor values again based on a rate of change of the temperature sensor values.